April 16th, 2009
Student Entrepreneurs Presented Solutions to Everyday Problems at 2009 G. Steven Burrill Plan Competition
From high-tech flavored plastics and eco-friendly vending machines to medical devices for emerging countries, students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are pursuing solutions to everyday problems.
Thirty students and a record number of 18 teams competed in this year’s G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition at the Wisconsin School of Business for the chance to win more than $20,000 in prize money.
Students presented their original business plans on Friday, April 17, in Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus. The top prize of $10,000 was won by the team for City Dictionary, which offers information on local culture, and language for cities around the world.
“Entrepreneurship leads to innovation — it answers questions and provides solutions to real and emerging needs,” says Anne Miner, professor of Management and Human Resources at the Wisconsin School of Business and director of the competition. “Through this annual event students have the opportunity to come together and create answers to society’s most challenging problems. It is exciting to see these young minds develop the next generation of innovative ideas that will drive tomorrow’s business.”
Since its inception in 1998, more than 300 students have participated in the competition while thousands have attended skill-building seminars to develop their business planning expertise. BusinessWeek and other national media have recognized competition alumni for their successes.
The competition is named for sponsor G. Steven Burrill, a longtime supporter of student innovation and entrepreneurship. Burrill is CEO of Burrill & Company, a life sciences merchant bank with more than $950 million under management. He earned a BBA degree from the Wisconsin School of Business in 1966.
2009 COMPETITION WINNERS
1st place ($10,000)
City Dictionary
2nd place ($7,000)
Add the Flavor
3rd place ($4,000)
Ecostream
4th place($1,000)
Cultured Kids Immersion Schools LLC
ERLC Choice Award ($100)
VirtuWill
Mini-Competition Award ($250)
PosiPair
Nelson Sustainable Venture Award ($1000)
Ecostream
Social Impact Award ($1,000)
A+ Mission
Read about this year’s competition